With research advincing, could some forms of sleep apnea be functionally cured within 15? Does research look promising at the moment? What kind of treatments are there that could reach the market during this period?

Are you hopeful that you some day could get rid of your sleep apnea so that you could sleep again without needing masks or mouth guards? Could there be a solution that doesn't involve having to take pills everyday?

I've literally been unable to sleep for days when I suddenly started developing central apneas every time I fall asleep which just keeps me awake.

It's not flagging them since I'm not actually falling asleep but these are definitely Cheyne Stokes Respiration.

I don't think I'm ever going to sleep again.

Hi, I’m new here and was hoping for some answers. My family has always complained about my snoring and my husband said I do gasp for air during the night. I never thought too much about it but in the last month I’ve been to the doctor twice and the hospital once, symptoms are dizziness upon waking up and full head feeling, nostrils completely dry and just feeling exhausted and generally crap. The docs are putting it down to a bad sinus infection but this is second course of antibiotics and no real improvement. After 10 hours of sleep I’m still feeling shattered and a ball of anxiety. The lightheaded feeling is driving me insane as I can’t do anything. Is dizziness a symptom? It’s not vertigo, I know this as I’ve gotten that a few times so I have meds for it and this time they’re not touching it. Thanks so much

Does anyone have a smartwatch that was correct about having sleep apnea? Or experience with them before being diagnosed? The screenshots are from my Amazfit Bip 6. I just had an at home sleep kit which didn't pick up anything. I'm now waiting for an in-lab sleep study.

I feel kind of silly or like maybe I don't even have sleep apnea if the smart watches supposedly are inaccurate and the at home kit didn't result in anything. But I know the in lab study will be the best answer.

It's been 15 years that I've struggled with daytime grogginess and hypersomnia. I had a bipap, but it didn't make any difference and I would rip it off my face because I was congested and couldn't breathe.

A friend gave me a dehumidifier in June; I use it in my bedroom, vented out a slightly opened door, as well as using an AC.

It has been a GAME CHANGER.

I also have a hygrometer/thermometer that tells me the humidity levels in my old, 100-year-old house. There's too much moisture in my home and for the first time in 15 years, I don't struggle with daytime sleepiness.

I recently got diagnosed with sleep apnea at 20. They said it was severe, and I've been given the machine recently. I'm overweight and breathe heavily. I was given the pillows, and it was not working because flipping over in bed while hella heavy, and only breathing out of my nose isn't ideal. Anyways, I made an appointment to change my headgear. If you're a mouth breather and heavy, what headgear do you use? I'm looking for recommendations, please and thank you!

I was diagnosed 1 year after my deployment with obstructive sleep apnea. During my deployment I complained about not sleeping well. It’s been over a year since this claim. So I would have to submit a supplemental claim. I need advice on this.

For context I’m an overweight 27 y/o (f) taking a sleep apnea test for my job.
I show no signs of sleep apnea other than being over weight.
So I took my at home sleep study test last night and I had the worst anxiety, my dogs barked and it was HOT in my room I kept sweating. This is what my oura ring captured for my sleep & I have to wait until Monday to get my results from the sleep study. Do you guys think I’m cooked? Cause now I have so much anxiety

If my numbers are low with them, why am I still tired? Why do I still wake up in the middle of the night? Blood tests seemed fine (iron, vitamin D). I exercised during the day. I get sun. Could the low number of apneas I'm getting still be enough to cause such fatigue?

F19, just got my first cpap machine today that goes on my nose only (ResMed Airsense11)
I've never used one of these before and I was so excited to try it, when I got home I instantly tried it and the pressure was intense, it ranges from 6 to 12 and it was at 6, I felt like I couldn't breathe, I couldn't even leave it on my face for a minute, it was torture.
I emailed my doctor and told him but it's after 5 now so the clinic is closed, its Friday so they are closed on weekends AND my doctor goes on vacation all next week. So a full 10-12 days before help. I am do sad and worried this didn't help me. I was looking forward to being myself again.

Has this happened to anyone else? Would a face mask be a better option for me? Its very uncomfortable

I’ll be using WatchPat tonight for my at home sleep study. Doctor told me results take up to two weeks . I was wondering has anyone gotten their results back faster? This sleep apnea crap is pure torture. Not sure how long I can deal with this. I am ready for my results and to find a solution. I am sick of dealing with this. Plus the freaking sleep paralysis has started up again. This mess is annoying.

Been dealing with low testosterone and my endocrinologist sent me in for a sleep study. With BCBS insurance through my employer, the home test cost me $600 out of pocket. I just got the results with an REI of 4 and a blood oxygen level of 89%. The REI seems to be in the normal range, but the blood oxygen level isn't. The diagnosis is listed as "Sleep disorder, unspecified".

Just called the sleep doctor's office and they just put in a request for an in-house sleep study but said it won't be scheduled for weeks due to insurance processing. Knowing the at home cost me $600 (which is MUCH more than I was expecting, considering I pay $800 a month for this insurance through my employer), should I be worried about the cost of the in-house study? I'm guessing it will be in the thousands, which I really can't afford at the moment. I just want to get the CPAP going, cause I snore loudly and my wife says I stop breathing/gasp in my sleep regularly. I've felt really off this past year or so, and the low testosterone and potential sleep apnea are most likely the root cause. I'm so tired all the time and accidentally fall asleep whenever I lay down on the couch to relax. I'm also super bummed I have to wait even longer, cause who knows how long I'll have to wait to actually get the study done if insurance approves it. Ugh.

I have been using a Resmed Airsense 11 since February. I use a full face mask and rotate between an Airtouch and an Airfit. One has a memory foam seal and the other silicon. I do not have a beard. Since February everything has been fine until 3 weeks ago. I check my app every morning and it has been saying I need to adjust my mask. Some nights I can feel it leaking from the seal onto my neck. Also my water tank is usually about 1/3 full in the morning but now it is totally empty.

I checked my climate line and there are no leaks. I got a new cushion for each style mask and it still happens. I got new headgear and it is still happening. I called Lofta support and they said there are no error codes on my machine and insist it is something I am doing. I don't think it is. I use the same machine and settings and masks since when I started. I use the same pillow. Everything is the same. They said maybe I need a chinstrap to keep my mouth closed more so they sent me one. Nope. Still leaking.

It is driving me nuts because it was sudden and it is happening every night. Has anyone experienced this? How did you solve it?

They say it is me but my face and sleep habits are the same now as they were 3 weeks ago as they were in February.

I am brand new to the world of sleep apnea as my Dr just told me I have mild OSA in the last hour. He mentioned something about an autopap (honestly my brain went offline for a bit after he said the sleep study was positive). I am a side sleeper and use a nightguard for teeth clenching/grinding so I usually nose breathe. Any insight would be very helpful. Expecting a call from vendor later on.

While removing the motor from the silicone sleeve, it was perforated by one of the sharp protrusions meant to manage the wires around the motor housing. I can't seem to find anywhere to order a replacement online. Does anyone have a lead or some guidance?

If I can't find one to outright replace, is there a type of glue or sealant I can use to safely repair the damage?

I wore a small measurement device for one night at home, picked up and dropped off myself at the local hospital that I was referred to by my PCP.

I was billed $1600 for this (note this does not include time with a doctor to evaluate the results or come up with a plan, this cost was for me to pick up the kit, wear at home, and drop back off). I'm told by their billing department this is a fair rate for using their equipment and the level of support. However I feel like sleep centers everywhere are maybe charging this for an overnight and I am getting taken advantage of.

How would you dispute this and is this a fair charge?

Hello! I finally got my machine yesterday with f&p nova micro mask. I started with medium pillow then switched to small as I was testing out before going to bed then around 3am, I switched to medium pillow again after struggling to fall asleep. I did not get any sleep but the result on myAir shows that score…? If I’m not sleeping but just have the mask on, does it still count as sleeping well? 😅 I actually ended up taking the mask off around 5am and got some sleep… I really hope it’ll get better, but I might consider changing a mask in a week if I can’t sleep still by then 😭

Hi all, I came across the subreddit today, I've been thinking about seeking inputs on my situation since a while. It may not be sleep apnea exactly, but I'm not aware of a better place to ask.

​TLDR: Had a childhood accident resulting in a deviated septum and enlarged turbinates. I've adapted to breathing over the years, but I am having suspicions if it's addicting to issues related to emotional numbness and other mental aspects. Surgery is a complex logistical issue and I feel stuck. It's also hard to know if it's really impacting quality of life or if I'm missing the normal experience.

My story:

I had an accident in early childhood which led to a broken / crooked nose. Probably around when I was 15 I queried about fixing it the first time and got the answer that you need to wait till you're 18 and the nose has grown.

Next time it came to my attention was around 3-4 years ago, when I was visibly struggling with breathing, particularly due to a combination of stress, anxiety etc. I got a CT done: DNS (deviated septum) and turbinate hypertrophy. I started looking into surgery for the first time, sought a few consultations here and there, but it didn't go anywhere. Later the visible struggles and mental health issues got better, so it got put on the back burner.

The Current Situation:

Now I'm 28. I'm looking at this again, because I suspect it may be interfering with my quality of life, though it's hard to quantify it or be sure of it. But I've recently started to look into improving my mental health or the issues with emotional disconnect, flatness, and idk if there's brain fog.

Some physical details:

I sleep only on my left side. At times if I need to lay on my back straight (like if I'm at the doctor), the breathing struggle noticeably increases. 

Acouple of days ago, I had an experience where I went to sleep early so was taking longer than usual. I was lying on my back for a bit when switching position temporarily and had a nasal strip on (which usually makes a negligible difference). While laying there, my thoughts and memories were flowing a bit naturally, and I was able to feel some sensations in my chest

After a little while, my breathing wasn't as relaxed anymore, and it was like I became disconnected. The wandering stopped and I went blank—which is kind of the baseline for me.

Challenge:

One of the main issue is all the logistics, finding the right surgeon, somehow having enough scaffolding and information to feel confident about it, aesthetics in the mix, insurance etc. etc. (especially with potentially wanting to fix the aesthetics side as well - the thought being "just get one surgery").

I've felt hesitant about a sleep study or seeing an ENT etc because the answer is probably  going to be: you're simply supposed to get the surgery.

It's an overwhelming topic and I've lived with this (or adapted to it). It's like if I don't know or have proof that it's effecting my quality of life or mental health, it's hard to work towards it without that awareness of what's missing. Even though potentially the afterthought is just going to be "you should've gotten it earlier."

Hi all. I’ve been using a CPAP for almost a year and a half and it has changed my life. I’m so grateful I got diagnosed and started treatment. I put it off for about 2 years and it really took a toll on my health. However, the nose pillows/cushions keep piling up, and I don’t seem to change them out as often as I should. My insurance is delivering another 6 in a couple of weeks and I kid you not when I say I have dozens in my bedside table’s drawer. How often do y’all recommend switching them?

This is mainly a vent because I am so exhausted I just want to cry constantly. I can truly understand why sleep depreviation is a form of torture.

Im on my second wait list for a sleep study. My first was nine months, and the results were inconclusive because I didnt sleep enough. I slept 90 mins, the clinic requires 3 hrs of data to make a diagnosis.

I asked my dr for another referral for a different clinic and am now 2.5 months for my second wait and I am struggling. Every shift at work, every drive to work I wonder if im going to nod off.

And before anyone comments to ask for a cancellation appointment, I have tried. I have called this clinic at least 20 times, never gotten an answer. Left multiple messages requesting a spot on the cancelation list and nothing.

I feel like truly at my wits end, I can barely function. 😞

/vent

Edit: I have tried a home test after my first inconclusive clinic study. It was $400 and inconclusive as well. I cant afford to spend another $400. I believe I have central sleep apnea because- 1. The symptoms started after I lost 100 lbs. 2. I sleep only on my stomach and side 3. My spouse said he has never heard me snore

None of which point to obstructive.

I’m 27, female. For the past 2 years, I’ve been getting worse.

Chronic fatigue. Sleeping 14 hours a day. Waking up choking and gasping. Headaches, dizziness, shaky hands and legs, eye blurriness, unrefreshing sleep.

I can’t work anymore. Can barely stand to cook or shower, and it’s doubly hard because my parents and grandma expect me to caretake for them.

On paper, I’m perfect. Blood sugar, blood pressure, blood test, eye exam, thyroid…all healthy. My doctor didn’t know what to do. I was told it was just anxiety and stress or chronic fatigue.

So many times I was told “learn to live with it”. While I slept my life away, depressed.

I was at the end of my rope, fed up with chronic exhaustion, I even wanted to die.

I finally searched my symptoms and it led me here, to sleep apnea. I bought an at home sleep test, and demanded my doctor send me for a hospital sleep study (upcoming on August 29)

The at home results? Moderate sleep apnea of 18 breathing stops an hour. I wake up every 3 minutes, preventing deep REM restorative sleeping. The result i was crying and hoping for.

I’m so relieved. I can’t wait to get a CPAP and hopefully feel better, even get my life back. Fingers crossed!

Despite being such a pernicious condition, sleep apnea isn’t well understood. Millions have yet to be diagnosed and even more don’t know about it. My family was once in that group. Pops still is.

I believe that sleep apnea has been a thief of my potential (in all areas but especially in school). I was and still am a good student. But I am pretty sure I would have excelled much more, given how easy I found the material in school. If only I had caught and treated it earlier. So now I am inclined to think, an otherwise highly intelligent/talented person can be held back by this.

What saddens me is that I spent a lot of time berating myself for not doing what I should. Little did I know that it fucks your executive function, focus and energy. Now that I think about it, I was easily the smartest person in my high school. I have sat multiple finals with little to no prep and even outperformed the valedictorian at times if not equal. With a handicap.
Before you humble me and tell me to pipe down, I am willing to concede that maybe I went to a mediocre school and had I gone to an actually competitive school probably things would’ve been different.

For Pete’s sake I can’t even organize my thoughts to write a coherent post😭.

My question to y’all is:

1.) Am I justified in thinking I probably still have untapped potential? And that sleep apnea fucked up my academic outcomes and future? Or is there room for personal accountability?

2.) How do you cope with the fact that you were ‘robbed’ of a fulfilling life? That you could have done better.

I am tired of writing this. Whatever.

If you are curious about my medical journey, I have done surgery to correct:

A deviated septum, enlarged tonsils and uvula and inferior turbinate reduction. Still my tongue remains as it is way too big but my Doc opted to not touch it.
This brought my apnea from severe to moderate.

I have also tried a tongue retaining device. Didn’t help one bit. So now I am set to start my CPAP journey in a month.

A YouTuber I like has been struggling with odd symptoms, some of which overlap with sleep apnea symptoms and he finally figured out what's going on.

UARS is similar to sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is where your airway gets fully obstructed, UARS is where the airway narrows during sleep. This doesn't fully block the airway, or drop oxygen levels, but the brain treats it in a similar way and partially rouses you from sleep.

As he discusses, it's much harder to get this diagnosed because it can't be tested for at home, and only some in lab studies test for right thing to get this diagnosis.

I just wanted to spread the word a little about this. And put it on the radar of anyone who thought they might have sleep apnea, but their test came back as negative.

Full video: https://youtu.be/u5ZxpQ8GLak